Testosterone injection is a drug indicated for people with male hypogonadism, characterized by a disease in which the testes produce little or no testosterone. Although male hypogonadism does not cure, symptoms can be relieved with a hormone replacement.
Although this drug is indicated for the treatment of male hypogonadism, the abuse of injections or derivatives of testosterone, also called anabolic steroids, is increasingly common, as is the case of testosterone enanthate or testosterone propionate, for example in athletes and high competition enthusiasts. who use these remedies to get better muscle performance and better physical appearance. , without realizing its real benefits and possible side effects.
- The most common side effects that can occur when using testosterone injections are pain.
- Swelling and itching at the injection site.
- Coughing and shortness of breath.
However, for people who use these medications incorrectly and frequently, more serious side effects may occur, such as:
In addition, in adolescents, testosterone administration can lead to premature closure of epiphysis, resulting in a disruption of growth.
The likely cause of acne as an adverse effect is related to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands, by testosterone, to produce more fat. The sites generally affected are the face and back.
The appearance of stretch marks on arms and legs is associated with rapid muscle growth, induced by steroids.
The misuse and indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids can increase the risk of tendon injury, as the osteoarticular structure cannot track muscle growth, which inhibits collagen synthesis in ligaments and tendons.
When testosterone levels are too high, the body begins to inhibit the production of this hormone. This phenomenon, called negative feedback or negative feedback, involves inhibiting the secretion of gonadotropins by excess testosterone. Gonadotropins are hormones secreted in the brain, which stimulate sperm production in the testes. Therefore, if they are inhibited by testosterone, they will stop stimulating the testicles to produce sperm, which can cause testicular atrophy and infertility. Understand, in more detail, how male hormonal control works.
Generally, when you start using anabolic steroids, sexual desire increases as testosterone levels increase. However, when levels of this hormone reach a certain concentration in the blood, our body begins to inhibit its production, a phenomenon called negative feedback or negative feedback, which can also lead to sexual impotence.
Breast augmentation in men, also known as gynecomastia, occurs because excess testosterone and its derivatives are converted into estrogens, which are female hormones responsible for the enlargement of the mammary glands.
In women, the use of anabolic steroids can cause an enlarged clitoris, an increase in facial and body hair and a change in tone of the voice, which are male sex characteristics, induced by testosterone.
Anabolic steroids lower good cholesterol (HDL) and increase bad cholesterol (LDL), blood pressure and left ventricle, which are risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart has been associated with ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death.
The misuse of testosterone injections, in addition to being toxic to the liver and that many substances used are resistant to metabolism, also contributes to increased levels of certain enzymes related to liver toxicity, which can cause damage, or even tumors.
Hormonal hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia or baldness, occurs through the action of dihydrotestosterone, which is a derivative of testosterone, in hair follicles. In people with genetic predisposition, this hormone binds to scalp receptors, causing thinning and thinning of hair. Thus, the use of testosterone and its derivatives can aggravate and accelerate this process, increasing the amount of dihydrotestosterone that binds to the follicles.
Testosterone injections and derivatives should not be used in people with:
This remedy should also not be used in children, women, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
The administration of this medicine should be performed by a health professional, and the doses should be adapted to each person, according to the individual hormonal need.